Paul O. Benson

Paul Orin Benson, 94 of Stoddard, passed away quietly on November 12, 2026 at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. He was born on July 12, 1932 in Spring Grove, MN, the youngest of 4 brothers to Emil and Emma (Evenson) Benson. Paul grew up on the home farm and attended Spring Grove Schools, graduating in 1950.

After school he joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served for 8 years stationed on the Transport USS Botetourt, the Destroyer USS Frank E Evens, and most of his time on the submarines USS Barracuda and USS Halfbeak. He was honorably discharged on July 1, 1960. After the Navy, he worked for a time at Allis Chalmers in La Crosse and the Burlington Northern Railroad before starting with the U.S. Corps of Engineers working on the Locks and Dams on the upper Mississippi River, working mostly at L & D #8 in Genoa.

He married Mary Kapanke on December 31, 1960. Together they raised 4 sons, Jeff, James, John and Joel. They lived for a while in La Crosse, Minneapolis, Trempealeau, and in Stoddard since 1968. Always an avid hunter he looked forward to his annual pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota, especially in later years going with his good friend John Ross.

Dad had a daily routine of taking the van and making a drive around town and on the ridge to check out the neighborhood earning the nickname “The Inspector” from the locals, before stopping at the Thirsty Turtle for a beverage. Dad was a lifelong member of American Legion Post #315 in Stoddard and took great pride in the Post and their annual Good Friday Smelt Fry.

Paul is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Jeff (Kathy), James (Kristy), and Joel; grandchildren, Jarod (Jamie), Kyle (Becca), Caleb, Brock (Yaya), Olivia, and Jamie (Luke), several nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his son, John, his parents, Emil and Emma, and his brothers and their wives, Alden and Ione, Verdel and Betty, and Leland Benson.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Monday November 23, 2026 at the Stoddard Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Thirsty Turtle in Stoddard. The Seland Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Emplify Health and their hospice team and at Bethany-St. Joseph for their care given to Paul during this time. Also, to the crew and his “family” at the Turtle for their help with the celebration.